Tag Archives: Getting through a painful family holiday

Holidays. They’re supposed to be a time of celebration and gaiety. But if you’re in the clutches of depression, Christmas may serve you a platter full of darkness instead of the traditional turkey or ham.

If your life has been touched by the ramifications of a medical trial, depression can be magnified. I struggled with all kinds of depression the first year after I had brain surgery. You could be dealing with a different type of illness. Maybe a stroke has left you needing to learn how to walk again. Or maybe you’ve lost someone—a spouse, friend or even child—due to a medical catastrophe.

Thanksgiving. The time of the year when we are to count our blessings. Yet so many families are splintered … feelings have been hurt over forgotten issues … that wearing a painted smile and staying close to the liquor cabinet is the best way to deal. There’s more to Thanksgiving than sharing turkey. It’s time to make amends with one another; it’s a time for families to heal.

It wasn’t an accident that you were placed with your family. God’s plan put you there. Yet so many think they can improve that plan by putting walls of unmet expectations and hurt feelings around their hearts.

“I don’t want to be hurt anymore.” “You don’t know what they did to me.” “We have nothing in common; it’s best we just keep our distance and live our lives apart.”

All those sound good, right? But these statements are all self-serving … and wrong!

If you have hurt someone, apologize. If you have been hurt, forgive. It wasn’t suggested by God, it was what he told us to do:

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13: 34-35 (NIV) Continue reading →

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A bit about Robin …

In 2009, Robin founded Renew Ministries, sharing with spiritually- and emotionally-broken men and women that God has a plan for their lives that includes healing. It's not too late! No matter what you've done or how much time has passed, God still loves you and wants a relationship with you.